The Breeze 9.28.23

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A BOURNE LEGACY Local schools introduce new lockdown policy News | 5 Departing athletic director reflects on career Sports | 16 Family Weekend Special Edition Inside Students should make time for scholarship applications Opinion | 18 september 28, 2023 VOL. 102 NO.7 BREEZEJMU.ORG
Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org Vol. 102, No. 7 2 Thursday, September 21, 2023 | breezejmu.org Vol. 102, No. 6 2

What's inside... On the cover

On Wednesday afternoon, JMU held a press conference for Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne, who's set to retire in the spring after 25 years overseeing the department.

Bourne initially announced his retirement Sept. 15 at the JMU Board of Visitors meeting.

President Jonathan Alger said Wednesday there will be a "fully open and inclusive national search" for Bourne's replacement.

When reflecting on his career, Bourne said he wants to be remembered for his humility more so than JMU's athletic success, which included three national titles and 151 NCAA postseason appearences under his watch.

LEFT: Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) spoke at JMU on Friday about finding common ground with people of differing political views. Kaine said the ability to change our minds is what open diologue is about, adding that instead of talking in "all caps with an exclamation point," people shoud try to have statements that end with question marks. The event was hosted by the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, kicking off a new series titled "Common Good in the Commonwealth." Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

Read more about Tim Kaine's visit to JMU on page 8.

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Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org Vol. 102, No. 7 3

Harrisonburg promotes two new deputy police chiefs

Pollard to empower the individual Pollard, a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, will serve as the deputy chief of support services. He has served in the HPD for the past 25 years, starting as a patrol officer in 1998.

Previously, Pollard worked with the Harrisonburg SWAT team as a commander and, before that, as a sergeant with the police department, where he oversaw patrol, special operations and K-9 units. Since then, he has been a captain for the HPD for three years.

Pollard said he has always felt a calling toward public safety and was drawn to the HPD because of its size — Harrisonburg is the city with the largest population in the Shenandoah Valley with 139,849 people, according to the city’s Department of Economic Development. Pollard also cited the constant growth and diversity of the greater Harrisonburg area as factors that pulled him to the Friendly City.

“In a city with two universities, it always felt like this department was moving forward,” Pollard said.

Pollard, a native of Springfield, Illinois, moved to Harrisonburg in 1993 and quickly fell in love with the city and its mountains, sunsets and natural beauty. When reflecting on his career leading up to his promotion, Pollard said he’s been “very blessed.”

Looking forward, he said he’s excited about furthering Police Chief Kelly Warner’s vision for the department.

“Leadership starts with competence,” Pollard said on Warner’s vision. “Impact and influence of others — how do I inspire them to understand and deploy our people and resources to accomplish the mission?”

The concept of a sphere of influence, or an area in which an individual has power over surrounding effects and developments, is a firm belief of Pollard, who said his sphere will expand with this promotion and allow him to benefit more people in both the police department and the Harrisonburg community.

Miller to emphasize team-oriented approach

In 2003, Miller moved to the Harrisonburg area after graduating from West Virginia State University. Born and raised

in Charleston, West Virginia, Miller said it was his mother’s encouragement that led him to seek opportunities in law enforcement outside of his hometown.

Starting as a patrol officer with the HPD, Miller spent many years within the department in various positions, including as a field training officer, corporal and sergeant.

During his time training and hiring for the HPD, Miller oversaw growth from 87 to 112 officers. Soon after, Miller was promoted to lieutenant, moving to the patrol division for three years before moving to the criminal investigations division.

Miller said he takes the promotion as a personal challenge, not only to lead in the future but to do a great job for the department and city as a whole.

Miller emphasized his team-oriented approach to the position and the idea that understanding each other’s goals and helping one another achieve them is crucial to the department.

“[I want to] evaluate how we’re performing,” Miller said. “Now, where we are, improvements can be made.”

CONTACT Drake Miller at mille8dl@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

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Eleanor Shaw & Lizzie Stone
“In a city with two universities, it always felt like this department was moving forward.”
Pollard, future deputy chief of support services
Capt. Rod Pollard received the promotion after serving in the Harrisonburg Police Department since 1998. He said he’s always felt a calling toward public safety and feels “very blessed” to have been promoted. Photos courtesy of the Harrisonburg Police Department In 2003, Lt. Todd Miller joined the HPD shortly after graduating from West Virginia State University. Since then, he said he’s held several leadership positions and said he plans to apply his team-oriented approach during his time as a deputy police chief.

HCPS updates lockdown policies for school year

New color category system shows severity breakdown of incidents

Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS) updated its lockdown policies for this school year to better prepare for the potential of such an emergency.

The policies come in the wake of a lockdown at the end of last school year. After Harrisonburg High School (HHS) experienced a potential threat, HCPS released a statement following the incident, saying everyone was safe and no one was harmed.

HHS senior Bryan Castro said the incident involved a fight and a report in which a student allegedly had a gun.

“It hadn’t been a common occurrence until last year,” Bryan Castro said, adding that every student was shocked and took the lockdown seriously.

The incident led HCPS to update its policies to better prepare for future situations. Deb Fitzgerald, chair of the HCPS school board, said the new lockdown guidelines will help with clear and efficient communication.

She said a major issue with the previous policies was how they were not communicated efficiently with parents , who would not know the severity of the lockdown, only that one was occurring.

“There was a lot of confusion about what was happening back in spring,” Fitzgerald

said. “When we were using words like ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ lockdown, it wasn’t really clear to people who are in the building or at home what was going on.”

To combat this, HCPS schools are introducing a new color card system that indicates the level of lockdown they’re under. “Code red” means everyone is silent behind closed doors with the lights off, Fitzgerald said, while “code orange” means all halls are clear and the doors are locked, but instruction continues. “Code yellow” means everyone needs to get inside

the school in case someone is on the property.

“It simplifies, streamlines and explains better what happens,” Fitzgerald said.

She said HCPS also focused on communication between the police, schools and parents while crafting the new policies.

“The message has to be clear and available to everybody,” Fitzgerald said. “We can’t use language that will obstruct the message.”

She said one major hurdle is the influx of languages spoken by Harrisonburg residents, which requires seven translations of a message to be sent out to ensure everyone can understand it.

Another made to HCPS policies was to improve the cell signal in some rooms, Fitzgerald said. She said a major issue was that students would be locked in classrooms where they couldn’t communicate with phones.

Another goal of the policies is to lessen the mental health toll lockdowns take on students, she said.

“We know anxiety is going to spike,” Fitzgerald said. “I wish we didn’t have to do a lockdown and we could spend time doing things that are fun and interesting, but I also know that this is the world, and we deal with the world we have.”

CONTACT Lorenzo Salas at salasld@dukes. jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org NEWS 5
LEFT: Harrisonburg High School went into lockdown in late May. Administrators identified ways communication could be improved in the wake of the incident, leading to policy changes. TOP: The new policies for Harrisonburg City Public Schools include a color system — code red, orange, yellow and green — that indicate the severity of the lockdown. Photos by Max Burkhart / The Breeze Ben Moulse / The Breeze

SGA nominates student to leadership role, hears presentation from Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate appointed senior Valeria Lopez-Postigo to sergeant-at-arms and heard from the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

SGA appoints sergeant-at-arms

Lopez-Postigo was unanimously appointed as the sergeant-at-arms by the SGA. This nomination was made by junior Legislative Affairs Chair Marcus Rand.

Senior Carlin Bumgarner, the speaker of the senate, said Lopez-Postigo will assist Bumgarner and parliamentarian Elena Finelli in maintaining the rules and governing documents, while also serving as a substitute in the absence of either member.

With no opposition to the nomination, junior Executive Assistant Brielle Lacroix spoke to Lopez-Postigo’s abilities.

“Valeria is interested in this position, she meets all the requirements, [she’s a] senator and I spoke to her and she’s comfortable stepping in if I can’t be here,” Lacroix said. “I think she’s perfect,”

SGA welcomes Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.

Junior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Accessibility (DEIJA) chair Takiyah Monrose yielded time to the sorority Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc., specifically, the Alpha Epsilon Chapter.

The presentation said Alpha Epsilon is the first

Latina-based JMU sorority; it was established on campus May 8, 2000. It said the organization, whose mission statement is “to constantly strive towards the expansion of awareness of the Latino culture to our members and the community at large,” welcomes all students, regardless of Latin American heritage.

“We like to champion excellence in education,” said social chair and treasurer Paola Berrios said. “Promoting good grades and good practices for yourself in undergrad and developing characteristics that [stay with] you for the rest of your life.”

With just four members this semester, Alpha Epsilon hopes to promote their sisterhood using the SGA’s platform. The sorority is open to undergraduate and graduate students at JMU, as well as alums who aim to support Alpha Epsilon’s message.

“There’s a lot of networking that comes along with being a part of the group, so you get a lot of workshops and professional development,” Berrios said.

Despite its small membership, Alpha Epsilon often hosts fundraisers, banquets and other bonding activities.

“You form a really tight knit bond, especially the way we carry out our event planning and just the way we live everyday,” vice president and secretary Michelle Mendez-Guatavita said.

CONTACT Hannah Kennedy at kennedhj@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org 6 NEWS
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The Alpha Epsilon chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. presented to the SGA as part of an ongoing invitation to student orgs to raise awareness through presentations. Afterward, senior Valeria Lobez-Postigo was appointed to sergeant-at-arms. Addi Allway / The Breeze
7 Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org Vol. 102, No. 7

Sen. Tim Kaine speaks on finding common ground

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) spoke at JMU on Friday about student and political issues.

Hosted by the Madison Center for Civic Engagement and University Events, “Common Good in the Commonwealth” is a new series designed to welcome elected and prominent officials to JMU to talk about pressing issues in Virginia.

In a Q&A-styled session between JMU President Jonathan Alger and Kaine, they discussed numerous topics on stage in front of JMU students, professors, faculty and the general public. As Alger presented the first topic concerning students entering the workforce and the support system and resources behind them, Kaine said he felt that opportunities such as internships and work studies could help students make informed and clear decisions about their future.

“You don’t know what the opportunities are out there because you don’t see the whole spectrum,” Kaine said. “You see a narrow slice.”

Kaine said many students enter the workforce unaware of their options because they’re not able to “see” what is

happening with students in different careers. He proposed ideas such as having guests of certain backgrounds and careers, and potentially funding off-campus positions, as steps to address this issue.

Alger and Kaine also discussed policies, civic engagement and new technology — specifically artificial intelligence and its opportunities and

In reference to AI, Kaine brought up the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” from the Old Testament. He explained that even 2,500 years ago, people recognized that “knowledge can be used for both good and bad” whether it’s from an AI or not.

Senior Leia Surovell, a representative of the Madison Center for Civic Engagement, hosted a Q&A session with both students and alums around JMU.

Surovell asked Kaine his thoughts about freedom of speech and open dialogue, since “open discussions and debate” were some of the

best parts of their college experience.

Kaine said the ability to change our minds is much of what open dialogue is about, they said.

“A lot of what we say now is in all caps with an exclamation point,” Kaine said. “Maybe we should try to have a lot of our statements end with question marks.”

Surovell then asked a few more questions on behalf of the JMU community, including the experiences and challenges of Kaine’s job, mental health concerns for those in the military and foreign policy.

About foreign policy specifically, Kaine emphasized the importance of role models and “to be better is to be better” when it comes to displaying democratic values.

Wrapping up the event, Kaine discussed why finding common ground is so important. Although just a title in the beginning, its true mission has been about the “overlapping areas” where things are not either just left or right, but for the in-between, Kaine said.

Kaine said he enjoys coming to events to speak with students because “there’s a sense of urgency about trying to be better.” CONTACT

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org 8 NEWS
at thweatbf@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.
BriAnna Thweatt
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9 Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org Vol. 102, No. 7

Reflection | Movies and Shows that shaped Gen Z

Generation Z consists of anyone born between 1997 and 2012 according to Investopedia. With the vast majority of JMU students being Gen Z, we decided to dig deep into the top movies and TV shows throughout the rise of the streaming and binge-watching era that shaped us into the Tiktok-obsessed, coffee-holics we know ourselves as now.

‘Call Me by Your Name’ (independent film | 2017)

Hundley:

“Call Me by Your Name” has grown to be one of the most celebrated independent films of the past decade. Based on the 2007 novel by Andre Aciman, the film follows Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old boy who falls in love with his father’s graduate student assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer), while spending the summer at his family’s villa in Crema, Italy.

The film is a titillating experience as you watch Elio navigate his sexuality and evolving emotional state while he finds his first love. James Ivory’s Academy Award-winning script is gracefully written, and the cinematography is breath-taking. The soundtrack, highlighting indie-folk musician Sufjan Stevens, complements the emotions felt by the lovers in each scene perfectly, making it impossible to keep dry eyes.

The viewer is placed in a startlingly real environment because of its untraditional flowing nature. Despite Luca Guadagnino’s strong track record with films such as “Suspiria,” “Bones and All” and “A Bigger Splash,” many believe “Call Me by Your Name” is his best work. His directing, coinciding with Ivory’s writing, showcases such patience and sensuality, setting up Hammer and Chalamet for arguably their best performances ever.

Since its release, Chalamet’s desolate, teary stare into the camera as the film’s end credits roll helped many

teenagers and young adults identify this work as one of the most relatable coming-of-age films of all time.

‘Euphoria’

(A24/HBO | 2019 - present)

Hundley | Muendel:

“Euphoria” may not be as critically exemplary as these other films or shows, but there’s no denying the cultural influence it’s had on Gen Z. The show is an exaggeration of the generation’s obsession with attention, sex and drugs. However, the exaggeration is why it caught on so well with middle schoolers, high schoolers and college students.

The characters created in this world are all so flawed and dislikable, yet it’s their flaws and troubles that make

the show as addicting as it is. Having an appointmentviewing release form created a sense of community and anticipation, which brought friends together. It’s something our generation has not experienced much because of the ever-popular “binge” form of entertainment, but “Euphoria Sunday,” at least to my friends, became a weekly holiday.

“Euphoria” only works because of showrunner Sam Levinson’s master class of stylistic choices that create a convincing feeling of the uncanny with his use of German expressionism — a form of filmmaking created in the early 20th century that deals with depression, anxiety and insanity by using bold lighting and set design. Zendaya is outstanding with her portrayal of the high school junkie Rue, winning the 2020 and 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards for lead actress in a drama series. Sydney Sweeney’s wickedly over-the-top acting style is also impossible to ignore. In 2022, she was nominated for two Emmys for her performances in “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus.”

‘La La Land’ (Lionsgate | 2016)

Hundley:

Director Damien Chazelle’s second feature film, “La La Land,” elegantly asks the question we’ve all asked ourselves when we lose someone we love: “What if?” I’m going to be honest, I was not the biggest fan of musicals before I watched “La La Land.”

However, this movie hooked me from the second I started watching, sinking me deeper and deeper into its chasm of emotional intrigue. Its undeniably charming, witty dialogue is the film’s most surprising quality. Of course, it’s toppled upon Damien Chazelle’s stunning directing. He uses the musical scenes to capture the exuberant feeling of Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) falling in love that regular dialogue wouldn’t do justice.

There are multiple uses of social commentary in this movie, including satire of Hollywood’s absurdities and the sacrifices we have to make in pursuit of our passions — all tied up in a wonderful love story.

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Morgan Blair & Evan Moody
10
Rolling Stone magazine lists ”The Dark Knight” as the 11th greatest movie ever made. Photos from Tribune News Service The ending scene of “Call Me by Your Name” stands as a staple for Gen Z film.

‘Normal People’ (BBC | 2020)

Hundley:

“Normal People” is a beautiful depiction of navigating through the struggle and power of growing up with your first love. My favorite part of this series was how they used social class almost as a synecdoche to show the struggle of Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell’s (Paul Mescal) evolving mental state.

The heartbreaking cling for power is so evident in Marianne. Her insecurities and inability to believe someone loves her for who she is are incredibly frustrating but painfully palpable to watch. Connell’s power struggle is the opposite. During their hidden high school relationship, Connell feels he holds all the cards. He’s the popular kid in school, while Marianne is bullied by his friends.

Connell’s character development is gravitating to watch as the high schooler who, socially, got everything he ever wanted and then becomes the college student who can’t seem to fit in, filled with a new wave of regret and doubt he has never felt before.

The show feels so raw and authentic. If someone older were to ask me what it’s like to love someone in college in 2023, I will always point to this show as a perfect representation.

The performances from Mescal and Edgar-Jones left nothing to be desired. I felt all the raw emotion this show tried to depict between Connell’s loneliness or Marianne’s awful home life. The show concluded their relationship perfectly: They break through their past difficulties and see the beauty of what they had with that heartbreaking line, “We have done so much good for one another.”

‘Breaking Bad’ (AMC | 2008 - 2013)

Hundley:

The cultural significance of “Breaking Bad” more than a decade after its pilot episode debuted has proven the show to be one of the most timeless ever created.

AMC’s 16-time Emmy Award-winning show was put on Netflix after its fourth season, unlocking a brand-new audience to watch

the esteemed drama whenever they want.

One of the most engrossing character studies ever put on TV, Bryan Cranston’s portrayal of high-school-chemistryteacher-turned-meth-lord Walter White has been a transcultural phenomenon. “Breaking Bad” may be the only show that you’ll see littered throughout your social media feed, but that could also be your grandpa’s favorite show.

Creator Vince Gilligan, who grew up in Richmond, Va., created a uniquely cinematic story with such rich character development he was able to make three applauded spinoff projects, including “Better Call Saul” and “El Camino.” “Breaking Bad” is so gracefully paced; giving time to flesh out the characters in Walter White’s circle with side plotlines that resulted in five seasons of remarkable television.

Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn’s careerbest performances were the emotional crux of the show. Walter (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse’s (Paul) progression of sense of morality was Gilligan’s most impressive feat with the emotional story. The two of them have so many quotable moments, making this a show that may be just as talked about as “The Sopranos” was 15 years ago.

‘Lady Bird’ (A24 | 2017)

Hundley:

“Lady Bird” is another coming-ofage film, but it feels unique compared to others from its genre because it isn’t centered around romance. Instead, it’s focused on main character Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson’s (Saoirse Ronan) relationship with her mother.

It’s Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, and her most heartfelt film. Ronan’s performance as Lady Bird encapsulates our generation’s constantly evolving personalities and interpersonal fights with how we treat the people who are closest to us. Gerwig effectively pushes the boundary between quirky and cringy with her dialogue, which results in an uber-relatable product, making the film’s ending so tear-jerkingly fulfilling.

Gerwig uses Timothée Chalamet, who at the time was beginning his real career, as the nonchalant, jerk, love interest that each

teenager knows all too well, again making the film painfully relatable to our generation.

‘The Dark Knight’ (Warner Bros. | 2008)

Hundley: A Blu-ray Disc of “The Dark Knight” sat in my dad’s movie cabinet for years. It’s eerie, dark cover sent chills down my spine every time I looked at it, but I still nervously wanted to see the content inside.

Once the rest of my generation and I was old enough to watch the film, which Rolling Stone ranked as the 11th greatest movie ever made, it took hold of us.

Every scene with Heath Ledger’s iconic depiction of the Joker stuck like glue into people’s brains — “Do you wanna know how I got these scars?” and “You never start with the head, the victim gets all fuzzy,” for example. Quote after quote, Christopher Nolan’s second movie in the Dark Knight trilogy became an instant classic.

It’s hard to meet a group of “film bros” that can’t reenact, line for line, the interrogation scene between Batman (Christian Bale) and the Joker. Its cultural influence is unparalleled. In a generation filled with contenders, “The Dark Knight” is the lone superhero movie worthy of making this list.

‘Little Women’ (Columbia | 2019)

Muendel:

In 2019, Gerwig released the third film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel “Little Women.” Gerwig took a literary classic and revived it in such a way that brought it into the 21st century, all while still keeping its roots steady. Along with the help of a star-studded cast — including Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern and Florence Pugh — the inspiring story of four sisters during the Civil War taught viewers the importance of family and the value that each woman holds.

While their father is at war, the girls learn how to maneuver the world as women, and each one takes a different approach in doing so. Each daughter reflected certain characteristics that could be seen in large in all women.

Meg March, the oldest, is the nurturing mother figure; Jo is the independent gogetter; Beth is the kind-hearted guardian angel; and Amy is the seemingly spoiled, materialistic one. The story and the four little girls teach younger and older women alike that no matter how you spend your time or what your core values are, you are important and just as valuable as any other woman.

Timothée Chalamet stars as the smart, hopeless romantic, Laurie, alongside Saorise Ronan after working together in ‘Lady Bird” — another one of Gerwig’s

films. Gerwig used the words and messages from Lousia May Alcott over 150 years ago and created a movie that will be cherished by and inspiring to all the little women of the future.

‘Outer Banks’ (Netflix | 2020-present)

Muendel:

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine — during spring of 2020, Netflix released “Outer Banks,” a drama-comedy about a group of teens in a popular vacation spot in North Carolina. With nothing else to do, seemingly every tween, teen and adult watched the show. By the end of the week, it was the topic of so many conversations, tweets and TikToks. Whether you were Team JJ or Team John B, a “kook” or a “pogue,” there was something in the show for everyone. One of the biggest pop culture impacts from the show came from the main characters’ clothes — bandanas and shell necklaces became outfit staples for teenagers across America that summer. The show was almost immediately renewed for a second season, and the filming of the fourth season was confirmed this spring.

‘Barbie’ (Warner Bros. | 2023)

Muendel:

The “Barbie” movie, released in July, made an impact on the world that no one could have predicted. Although we have featured Gerwig’s works twice already, what she did once again for modern cinema should not be passed over, especially after releasing this masterpiece.

Any child who played with Barbie dolls when they were younger — or maybe never stopped — saw their imagination turn into a tangible picture right in front of their eyes. One of the most memorable parts of the movie was the set created by Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer. The houses were based on real Barbie dreamhouses, and the bright shades of pink that covered every wall and accurately proportional Barbie accessories further immersed the audience into the “Barbieland” that Gerwig sought to create.

Margot Robbie flawlessly encapsulated the essence of the popular doll, and Ryan Gosling’s performance as Ken was hilariously brilliant. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, I’m sure you caught wind of the cultural impact it made this summer. It was undeniable: Everywhere you turned, you would see the signature Barbie pink. I can’t begin to count the number of times I walked down the street this summer and a stranger said “Hi Barbie” to me as I passed by.

“Barbie” brought together a divided society by putting a spotlight on not just the struggles of modern-day women but those of men as well. After sitting and reading countless Letterboxd reviews, it was clear the message was something that went over the heads of many people — mostly men — after watching this movie. Although the movie focused on the acceptance, attitude and well-being standards women are held to, the overarching point said we are all misunderstood and forced to fit into a rigid box that society expects us to squeeze into.

“Barbie” reshaped the way our generation thinks about one another, and it will become a classic for future generations.

Read the full story at breezejmu.org.

CONTACT

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org CULTURE 11
Hayden Hundley at hundlehf@ dukes.jmu.edu and Audrey Mudendel at muendeal@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture. The “Barbie” movie focused on the acceptance, attiude and well-being standards women are held to.

Fashion trends across the ’Burg

Wait for a bus. Go to class on East or Main Campus. On a sunny day, sit on the Quad for a few minutes and watch passersby or scroll through @jmufits, the Instagram account that features fashionable JMU students nearly every day.

Some JMU clothing trends are gaining popularity such as hippie, cargo and athleisure. The commonality of these trends show JMU students value clothing that’s comfortable and functional, as well as stylish and expressive. Students are empowering themselves by wearing outfits that show both their personality and fit their lifestyles.

Hippie

Tie-dye prints, tie-front tops earthy and vibrant tones, maxi skirts, layered jewelry, patchwork tote bags, bandanas, crochet, peppy patterns and so on — JMU students are wearing anything that makes you think “groovy.”

Hippie fashion is mushrooming.

Saturday was cold, grey and rainy because of tropical storm Ophelia, but thanks to hippie fashion, the harsh, windy day became a little more colorful. That day, freshman

psychology major Katie Ogilvie wore a dark brown dress patterned with blooming flower and paisley prints in lively pinks, purples and oranges, as well as matching brown sandals and colorful layered bracelets.

“I’m so happy that it’s coming back,” Ogilvie said about hippie fashion. “It means to me, really, like who I am as a person — very free-thinking and, you know, abstract and vibrant.”

Ogilvie said she enjoyed hippie fashion as a child. She started dressing in the style again upon entering college, as she said she realized she wanted to express herself more.

Furthermore, the flowing silhouettes and baggy pieces typical to hippie fashion create a feel-good look — one that’s comfortable as well as stylish.

Freshman music industry major Grace Hollowell wore multi-patterned and -colored patchwork pants on the rainy Saturday.

“I do really love kind of the freedom … of hippie fashion clothes … it’s super comfortable,” Hollowell said. “These are sweatpants, but they’re cute.”

JMU students enjoy hippie fashion for purposes of self-expression and comfort, but also for the simple joy the pieces bring, said Carly Hemani, a freshman biotechnology major, who wore a white maxi dress featuring golden plant and paisley motifs on Saturday Sept. 23.

“It’s supposed to be something that’s a comfort, like your favorite food … it’s supposed to be just something to make you relax,” Ogilvie said.

Fun, colorful pieces can brighten up an

overcast day. The happiness they bring can offer some excitement on a slow, sleepy morning or solace on an exam day.

Cargo

Another trend sweeping through the JMU student body is cargo-style apparel. The commonality of practicality reigns true with this clothing style, and JMU students want more of it. Although cargo clothing — pants, jackets, bags, skirts, shorts — were originally made for army uniforms and manual-laborheavy jobs according to Military Times, young people, specifically Generation Z, have brought it back into the limelight.

“I just like the pockets if I’m being honest. I have to carry a bunch of my keys, my cards and everything, and I just find it more convenient,” Sahara Sania, a sophomore biotechnology major, said. “I thrift most of my clothes, so I really like that old-fashioned things are coming back.”

Past fashion trends that come back into focus give people the option to shop sustainably while still following what’s popular. Cargo clothing can often be found in thrift stores, as well as the most popular name-brand clothing stores.

In addition to its practicality, there’s a versatility that comes with the cargo look. This trend has come up in men’s, women’s and unisex clothing, which is often uncommon when it comes to a specific modern trend. In women’s pants specifically, the demand for more pocket room, or any at all, has been unceasing — and cargo can provide that.

The cargo trend is convenient and comfortable, and even if JMU students don’t use every pocket sewn in, its versatility and style make for a great fit.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org 12 CULTURE
Hippie, cargo and athleisure clothing trends have rapidly been gaining popularity across campus. Freshman Grace Hollowell said she loves the freedom of the hippie fashion trend. Photos by Luce L. Sampson / The Breeze

Athleisure

Athleisure clothing is no exception to JMU fashion trends with practicality in mind. Many students at JMU participate in some kind of athletic activity on campus between intramural or club sports or working out at the University Recreation Center.

When walking around campus, there’s an abundance of athleisure clothing — leggings, joggers, biker shorts, zip-ups, sports bras, running shoes and more — in most classrooms and groups of friends. For Eric Marlowe, a junior geographic science major, the appeal comes from athleisure’s convenience and utility.

“It’s comfortable, it works in multiple settings, you can wear it out to the gym, you can wear it to class, you can wear it just around campus — whatever,” Marlowe said. “It just fits better than a lot of other stuff.”

Students said they like that they don’t have to change their outfits just to work out at the gym or go to practice. In addition, as athleisure is often a tight-fitting spandex material, the fit of this clothing is specific to each individual.

Another common aspect of this trend is layering. Often, people will wear a more tightfitting shirt and pants combination and layer a jacket or sweats on top. This makes for an outfit that’s practical for all activities, temperatures and weather, which can vary strongly throughout the day in Harrisonburg.

CONTACT Abby Camp at campad@ dukesjmu.edu and Luce L. Sampson at sampsoll@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @ Breeze_Culture.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org CULTURE 13 Online 24/7 at BreezeJMU.org In print on Thursdays TheBreezeJMU @TheBreezeJMU BreezeVideo breezejmu DUKES WIN e Breeze e Breeze
JMU’s Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1922 Freshman Katie Ogilvie said she’s happy the hippie trend is back in fashion because she used to wear the style as a child.

JMU club men’s rugby seeks first-ever national title

When students think of JMU’s athletic success, they will probably first think of the university’s four national championships across three varsity sports.

But among all the thrills at the top level, it’s easy for a club team to fly under the radar. However, JMU club men’s rugby plans on making plenty of noise this season.

In addition to its A team aspiring to play in the national playoffs — a field of 16 teams — the club also helps new players learn the game.

“We have more experienced guys who are playing a more competitive, fluid game style, but we’re also working in our second side with more developmental players [to help them] gain a basic understanding of rugby,” fifth-year captain Declan Arnott said.

Club rugby is also well-equipped to bring the newest wave of prospective players into the fold. During practices, the first team runs game concepts while the developmental side can be seen in drills covering everything from passing to tackling and kicking. On game days, JMU and its opponent brings their A and B teams — or more if both sides have them — and two matches are played.

“The beauty of it is that anyone who comes out is going to play,” head coach Mark Fowler said. “You’re not going to be on the sidelines.”

The structure of American rugby is beginning to resemble that of some of the world’s best rugby nations, with multiple collegiate levels being established, a growing professional league and a men’s national team on the cusp of World Cup contention.

The Dukes play in the National Collegiate Rugby’s (NCR) Division 1-AA, the highest level of non-scholarship collegiate rugby.

The NCR is one of two organizations that govern men’s rugby at the college level, along with the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA).

Although JMU does not typically play against national powerhouses such as UCBerkeley, Navy or Life (Ga.), it still plays at a competitive level with national recognition

at stake. Nevertheless, Arnott called JMU’s opponents — which have included programs such as Lindenwood (Mo.) and Mary Washington in years past — as “very competitive, high-level teams.”

“We try to be as structured and organized as we possibly can be while still maintaining a level of fun,” head coach Mark Fowler said. “We’re probably more structured than most teams we play against now.”

JMU finished the 2022 season 8-1, losing to Binghamton (N.Y.) in November in the quarterfinal of the NCR Championship. This year, the Dukes believe they can push past that finish and win the national championship.

The strength of the structure Fowler has tried to instill among the Dukes will be tested,

as they face in-state rival and defending NCR champion Virginia Tech during the regular season on Saturday. The regular season also includes matches against Delaware, Maryland and Salisbury (Md.).

In recent years, the Dukes have competed in spring games against decorated teams such as Lindenwood (Mo.) and Mary Washington. These types of games give JMU the opportunity to hone their skills against some of the best players the collegiate ranks have to offer and raise the Dukes’ overall level of play.

“I coached here from ’88 to ’90, and against Mary Washington, we would put 40-50 points in, but now they are very good,” Fowler said. “They bring in overseas players, which raises the general level of rugby.”

With the lofty expectations the Dukes have placed upon themselves, the players are preparing for physical and speedy games. While the Dukes want to play at a high pace, they also acknowledge that they are not physically the largest of teams and will face opponents who want to overpower them.

“It’s going to come down to tackling, good form and stopping the big boys before they can get a head start,” Arnott said.

CONTACT Jack Foster at foste2jr@dukes.jmu. edu. For more club men’s rugby coverage, follow the sports desk on X at @TheBreezeSports.

@TheBreezeSports SPORTS
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EDITORS Kaiden Bridges & Jackson Hephner EMAIL breezesports@gmail.com The Dukes finished the 2022 season 8-1, losing to Binghamton (N.Y.) in November in the quarterfinal of the National Collegiate Rugby Championship. Courtesy of Nic Beasley
“The beauty of it is that anyone who comes out is going to play. You’re not going to be on the sidelines.”
Mark Fowler, head coach

Preview | JMU returns home after three-game road trip to face South Alabama

JMU is starting a consecutive stretch of five Sun Belt Conference games when it hosts South Alabama for the first time ever on Saturday for Family Weekend.

Upon completing a three-game road stretch, the Dukes are still undefeated (4-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) after what head coach Curt Cignetti called a “resilient” 45-38 win over Utah State last Saturday.

The Dukes got off to a 38-17 lead in a first half which featured 366 yards of total offense. However, despite the quick start, Cignetti said the team had no excitement about how they played in the first half. The Aggies capitalized in the second half, when the Dukes squandered their lead after a Utah State touchdown with 11:01 left in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a situation we know where to push through,” Cignetti said. “As a player in college football, you don’t always feel good, you don’t feel refreshed. Everybody’s bodies are a little beat up. And it’s just something you got to push through. So hopefully we’ve had a chance to kind of catch up a little bit.”

After his performance against the Aggies, throwing for 364 yards and four touchdowns alongside two rushing scores, redshirt senior quarterback Jordan McCloud was named to the Week 4 Davey O’Brien Great 8 and the Manning Award Stars of the Week. These were McCloud’s best stats since he threw for 404 yards in 2020 as USF’s quarterback in a 58-45 loss to UCF.

Despite the high scoring, the defense also impacted the flow of the game, as the Dukes sacked Utah State five times. Senior defensive end Jalen Green led the team with 1.5 sacks; Green has four sacks on the season, already a career-high. The defense has been putting immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks lately, as JMU also racked up six sacks the week prior versus Troy.

After practice on Tuesday, Cignetti called the defensive line “the strength of the team,” saying they’ve been able to count on them week in and week out. They will need another great performance against South Alabama’s offensive line — a unit that features two transfers from Florida State and Tennessee, and is averaging 179.3

rushing yards per game with senior running back L’Damian Webb alongside junior Kentrel Bullock.

“I think they got two talented backs that carry the load for them,” Green said. “I think the game starts up front, [with the] D-line in the trenches, our D-line against them. A lot is on us setting the line of scrimmage in the backfield and shutting down the run.”

On the other side of the trenches, JMU will be without College Football Network Preseason Sun Belt Offensive Lineman of the Year redshirt senior right tackle Nick Kidwell for the first game since Nov. 5 of last year. He suffered a season-ending injury on the first play of the game against Utah State. Junior Tyler Stephens, who has started at left guard this season, will replace Kidwell’s spot at right tackle.

Junior center Tanner Morris called Kidwell the “heart and soul” of the offensive line, but he said he isn’t too concerned about the loss because of the versatility and chemistry among the Dukes’ lineman, even saying that Stephens can play “any position across the board.”

“I feel like that’s a lot of credit to [offensive line coach Damien Wroblewski],” Morris said. “Being able to cross-train guys throughout fall camp and during the spring, especially when some of the older guys aren’t really practicing. So I think that we have a lot of guys who can definitely step up.”

South Alabama (2-2) is coming off a 34-30 loss to Central Michigan, but Cignetti said the Dukes have “huge challenges” this week in preparation for the Jaguars.

“Their defense was very high statistically last season,” Cignetti said. “Two really big guys inside that are athletic and can move, so the ends are good and the secondaries good. They’re good.”

The team is “excited” to return to Bridgeforth Stadium to play in front of a soldout crowd on Family Weekend, Green said. If JMU wins it will be its eighth consecutive victory, currently, the team has the eighthlongest win streak in the FBS. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

CONTACT Hayden Hundley at hundlehf@dukes. jmu.edu. For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X at @TheBreezeSports.

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org SPORTS 15
Junior center Tanner Morris said JMU’s linemen can play “any position across the board.“ Ryan Sauer / The Breeze Senior defensive end Jalen Green led the team with 1.5 sacks on Saturday. He already has a career-high of four this season. Ryan Sauer / The Breeze Redshirt senior quarterback Jordan McCloud was named to the Week 4 Davey O’Brien Great 8 and the Manning Award Stars of the Week. Abi Middleton / The Breeze

‘We've done it the right way’ Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne wants to be remembered for humility

JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said there would be no better time to step down from his position than when the school's athletics were on a high note, and to him, that time is now.

On Sept. 15, President Jonathan Alger announced at the Board of Visitors meeting that Bourne would be retiring after his 25-year tenure at JMU in the spring.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Bourne said though his time leading JMU Athletics as a Duke has come to an end, he’s hopeful for the school and believes it will only continue to improve and grow from how he’s leaving it.

“I'm incredibly optimistic about our future and where our program is going,” Bourne said. “And you know, as my tenure as the athletic director comes to an end, I'm going to miss working daily around our staff, but I really do leave a feeling excited and optimistic about our future. JMU is a very special place. Anyone who has the opportunity to experience it in person will leave enriched, and they will leave being a better person such is the case with me as an athletic director.”

Alger said Bourne is leaving behind big shoes to fill and a legacy that sets up the future of JMU Athletics for success.

“Under Jeff's leadership, we've built a very strong program across the board,” Alger said. “I believe we've done it the right way, and the signs of Jeff's impact are everywhere across campus.”

Bourne said he’s been grateful to have overseen JMU Athletics for as long as he has. Since the start of his tenure in 1999, the Dukes have won three NCAA national championships between football (2004 and 2016) and lacrosse (2018). In the last 25 years, the Dukes have also had 81 conference titles and 151 NCAA postseason appearances.

“It's been an honor to serve for 25 years,” Bourne said. “Those of us in athletics realize that's not something that normally happens. You're normally either shown the door or made somebody very, very unhappy, and you're not here for that time. But this opportunity has been one that's been very fulfilling for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was fortunate to inherit the foundation of a very good program.”

Alongside JMU’s national titles, Bourne was also in charge during the Dukes' transition from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) to the Sun Belt Conference, lacrosse’s move to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and football’s jump from the FCS to the FBS.

Bourne said when he was 27 years old, he had a plan laid out for his career, saying how by the time he was 57 in 2016, he wanted to switch careers and follow a new path. But he said those plans changed as him and his wife, Mary Lou Bourne, had two children and put them through college.

Those plans continued to evolve for Bourne as he began to see JMU through its transition into the Sun Belt, saying how he felt it was unfair to coaches, student-athletes and the rest of his athletic staff to retire mid-transition and to have someone come in and take his place during the hectic time.

“I just felt like overall, the simplest and most efficient way for the transition to happen would be to stay where I am,” Bourne said. “And that was a couple of years ago when I talked to President Alger about it and said; 'look I want to stay on through that and when we get on the other side of it, provided everything's in a great space, I'm going to leave.'”

Being JMU’s third full-time athletic director in history, Bourne has put a lot of work into continuing to build off the foundation that was set after the retirement of Dean Ehlers (1971-93) and Don Lemish (1993-99). Since Bourne's start,

he's overseen $250 million worth of renovations on campus including the Convocation Center, Bridgeforth Stadium, the Atlantic Union Bank Center and more.

Despite already having a plethora of accomplishments under his name, Bourne said he’s not done trying to improve and grow JMU Athletics’ name at a national level.

“I think there are a couple more projects, capital projects that need to be out there yet,” Bourne said. “We've put our mark on the national brand. I'd like to see that national brand continue to grow. I think it's perfect, and it fits right in with what President Alger and the university is doing overall for the university.”

As the university begins the search for Bourne’s successor, Alger said the first step is to hire an external search consultant to help conduct the hiring process. JMU is also working on forming a hiring committee, and although the group hasn’t been created yet, Alger said updates would be presented as the process continues.

Within the committee, Alger said the Board of Visitors' Athletics Committee and the board would have heavy consideration with the decision, saying he will consult the board plenty during the hiring process.

Alongside the board and committee, Alger said Bourne would have a big role in the hiring process.

“I really want to make sure every step of the way that Jeff is a consultant and is helping us out because his reputation is frankly going to help draw a lot of people here,” Alger said.

Bourne said he hopes to aid Alger and the rest of the team as much as he can while a decision is still being made. He said this is an important time for the university, and because of this, he’ll do everything he can to make sure “the best person that can possibly be in this role” succeeds him.

When asked if there was a chance the next athletic director was already on JMU’s campus, Alger said the search would be concluded at all levels.

“We'll have a fully open and inclusive national search,” Alger said. “So we are open to all sorts of candidates from all sorts of backgrounds, but, we don't have a preconceived notion of who it's going to be.”

While the search hasn’t officially been put into motion, Alger said there are already some qualities in mind for the next athletic director to possess, including experience in Division I athletics, an understanding of the balance between athletics and academics, and a strong commitment to the school's ethics and financial savviness.

“Just basically understanding our culture and our priorities,” Alger said. “The athletic director works with all of the rest of the senior team at the university, and those relationships really matter. So those are the types of things I'd be looking for someone who's going to be a good team player working with all of the rest of us in leadership.”

Bourne said as JMU prepares to start the hiring process, he wanted to be remembered at JMU for his humility and as someone who valued the staff he worked around. He said his leadership and accomplishments as a Duke were a collective effort which were aided by his coworkers, including administrators, coaches, student-athletes and colleagues across the university.

“If a person comes into this role thinking that they're going to be the ones that make change or lead, they might lead, but truly it has to be a collective effort,” Bourne said. “Our relationships, the ability to develop those relationships, for me is probably the most important thing I'll leave behind.”

CONTACT Kaiden Bridges at breezesports@gmail.com. For more sports coverage, follow the sports desk on X at @TheBreezeSports

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org 16 SPORTS
JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne has overseen $250 million in renovations to Bridgeforth Stadium, Sentara Park, the Convocation Center and the Atlantic Union Bank Center. Ryan Sauer / The Breeze
Marshall JMU vs. South Alabama Utah vs. Oregon State C. Carolina vs. Ga. Southern Editor’s record JMU Oregon State Ga. Southern 14-10 Notre Dame Notre Dame vs. Duke Jackson Hephner Sports Editor Colby Reece BTV Sports Director William Moran Copy Editor Avery Goodstine Managing Editor Grant Johnson Editor-in-Chief JMU Utah Ga. Southern 13-11 Notre Dame JMU Oregon State Ga. Southern 16-8 Notre Dame JMU Oregon State Ga. Southern 16-8 Notre Dame JMU Utah C. Carolina 16-8 Notre Dame JMU Utah C. Carolina 17-7 Notre Dame Florida vs. Kentucky ODU vs. Marshall Kentucky Marshall Florida Marshall Florida Marshall Florida Florida Marshall Florida Marshall Michael Russo Executive Editor JMU Oregon State C. Carolina 18-6 Notre Dame Kentucky Marshall Kaiden Bridges Sports Editor Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org SPORTS 17
Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

Want to praise someone or get something off your chest? Darts & Pats is the place to do it. Submit your own at breezejmu.org.

An “I-can't-find-a-table” dart to JMU's dining halls. From a very hungry junior.

A “finally” pat to Ticketmaster for allowing me to get Noah Kahan tickets.

From someone who has fought the good fight too long and finally won.

An “are-you-kidding-me” dart to the announcers at the JMU vs. Utah State football game last saturday.

From someone who thought their commentary was ridiculous.

Students should continue to pursue scholarships in college

A “that's-nasty” dart to the Dunkin on Port Republic Road for forgetting to put vanilla syrup in my coffee.

From someone who foolishly didn't taste the coffee before leaving.

The cost of college is by far the first point of contention in the debate surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of getting a degree. Costs of obtaining one continue to increase, as does the anxiety of paying for it.

The average cost of earning a bachelor’s degree from a public university with in-state tuition in 2023 is $104,108 according to the Education Data Initiative. For students who do choose to pursue higher education, the looming thought of the debt awaiting them can make graduating feel less than exciting. However, there’s little a student can do to lower the actual cost of education. Something that they can do, though, and something that more should do, is explore the realm of

possible scholarships. They provide students with the opportunity to decrease any stress or anxiety they have regarding their financial future after graduation.

Many students who seek scholarships first apply for them around the same time they’re applying for colleges, during their senior year of high school. From this point on, students are tasked with finishing their high school years strong. After this, preparing for college typically preoccupies them until the first day of classes. Such a significant transition consumes much of a person’s time, energy and focus. It’s also a time filled with many conflicting emotions, such as excitement and apprehension. What can pass by unnoticed during this hectic

time, and reasonably so, is the opportunity for continued scholarship applications.

Sophomore transfer student Scott Nelson said he thought about applying for scholarships when he came to JMU, “but it kind of came up quick.” He attributed this lack of time to the fact that since most schools give the same deadlines to their scholarships, there’s little chance to apply, especially after transferring.

First year of college aside, many students still don’t take the opportunity to apply for scholarships later on. Most scholarships renew yearly, so if a student misses a deadline from the previous year, they should ideally be prepared to, at least, apply for that scholarship the next year.

OPINION
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Kaleb Nute / The Breeze

Uncertainty and anxiety can also be a factor. The initial emotions that come from missing a deadline can linger and make a new application seem daunting. Some scholarships require interviews following the application that are similarly nervewracking. These feelings are valid; however, they can be addressed by not putting so much pressure on delivering a scripted appearance. Students should present themselves authentically and understand that although they may not make the mark for one particular scholarship, it should in no way make a person question who they are.

The more often a student puts themself forward in their applications, the less daunting the process will be. It might also be easier to deal with rejection by applying to more scholarships rather than just hoping for one to be a success.

Nelson said felt that although scholarships are extremely helpful, another reason he hasn’t applied for any is that the ones through JMU, in comparison to his former school, Waynesburg University, are hard to come by. This in part is due to JMU having a relatively smaller endowment than many other universities of its size in the state. For example, JMU’s $123 million endowment as of 2022 pales in comparison to the University of Virginia’s endowment of $13.6 billion the same year.

However, there are still many scholarships that the university does award. Besides this, students should feel encouraged to at least apply for private scholarships beyond the university. Taking a step back and evaluating the situation should lend to the reasonable conclusion that the significance of the effort put into applying isn’t reduced by the possibility of not receiving a scholarship. In reality, it is amplified by the mere potential of receiving financial aid toward one’s education.

Another more likely obstacle that students grapple with regarding scholarships is the time commitment. This could also be tied to preoccupation with other important student tasks, such as schoolwork, clubs and activities, sports or a job. However, applying for scholarships is well worth the time. Applications not only require planning and selecting what scholarships to apply for but also require careful effort and revisions to produce the best application possible. Even if a student doesn’t receive the money, they’re sharpening their skills for future scholarship applications.

JMU offers help for such skills through programs such as its Writing Center to improve scholarship application essays. Such applications allow a student to analyze their own strengths and weaknesses, a skill they will invariably need for future tasks such as job applications and promotion requests. This opportunity for self-assessment alone should inspire some desire for students to look into applying for scholarships.

Some common objections to applying for scholarships are a lack of notice, opportunity, or time, and apprehension. However, it’s evident that these obstacles are more situated in a student’s mind than in reality. Students should feel the urge to take their futures into their own hands, rather than allowing perceived barriers to stop them from even trying.

All students deserve the opportunity to reward themselves for pursuing higher education; it’s time for them to stop depriving themselves of this.

CONTACT Sara Curling at curlinsp@dukes. jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @ Breeze_Opinion.

JMU’s alum network is underutilized by students

“What will you do after graduation?”

It’s a question that looms over so many college students’ heads … but that’s rarely answered confidently. What students can be confident about, however, is there are people who have been in their shoes.

Students often focus only on their peers — their classmates, friends and competition. But, the JMU community is larger than students think, and broadening their horizons would be beneficial.

Alums: who they are and what they do

The typical, most commonly understood definition of an alum is this: a student who has graduated from a certain school, university or college.

But Jessica Savoie, who oversees the JMU Alumni Association as its interim director of alumni relations, thinks of alums as so much more.

“We consider anyone who’s completed 12 or more credits an alumni, and we have our tagline ‘Dukes from Day 1, alumni for life.’ So, really, if you’ve been here for a semester, you’re an alum, and we consider you one of us.” Savoie said.

She mentioned this to demonstrate that students don’t have to fear the word “alumni” or associate it with leaving JMU. Students and alums are interconnected and both have a valued place in the JMU community.

Alums are also people who have paved the way for students and continue to make an impact in whatever field they’re in.

For example, former JMU basketball players Caroline Germond (’23) and Kamiah Smalls (’20) play professionally in France.

Jim Acosta (’93) is the chief domestic correspondent for CNN and visited campus last semester to interview Dr. Anthony Fauci. Glennon Doyle (’99) is an accomplished author and podcast host.

Additionally, alums are in local communities — eager to welcome more Dukes to their fold.

“We have regional alumni chapters that are located all over the world,” Savoie said, so that “when students graduate and go out into their local communities, they can still connect back to JMU.”

Alums are alive and well, and they don’t exist separately from the university they came from.

The ideal relationship between alums and students

In addition to students’ attention, alums are worthy of students’ time.

“We’re a resource for you now. You don’t have to wait until you graduate — come see us, we’re friendly,” Savoie said, referring to the Leeolou Alumni Center which shares a building with the Festival Conference and Student Center.

Savoie invites all students to come by the center anytime, whether they want to learn about the resources available to them or just need a place to study.

Alumni centers can also help students be confident about their future.

“We really are a great resource for getting connected to alumni who could be a part of your network and help connect you to potential jobs or internships,” Savoie said.

Being a student automatically provides a network and opportunities to take advantage of. Alums are “eager to connect with current students and help someone. else out because somebody helped them get them to where they’re at,” Savoie said. “JMU alums love paying it forward.”

Students are a valuable resource to alums as well. Older generations want insight into what’s relevant and popular, and they look to students or recent graduates for that.

There is security in knowing that Dukes want to support Dukes — all you have to do is take the hand they’ve extended.

The weight of reputation

Part of a university’s reputation is how notable or successful its alums are. Subsequently, if these alums connect with students, that reputation only improves.

If alums build strong networks with their alma mater as they grow in their profession, the university can promise prospective students auspicious employer connections.

see ALUM, page 20

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org OPINION 19
Jessica Savoie, the interim director of alumni relations at JMU’s Alumni Association, says her office considers anyone who has studied at JMU, regardless if they graduate, as an alum. Notable alums from JMU include professional athletes and CNN Chief Domestic Correspondent Jim Acosta, among others. Photos by Grace Sawyer / The Breeze

from ALUM, page 19

This is most evident in Ivy League schools and can be accredited for building prestige and generational success for these institutions.

As said in a Breeze op-ed published in August 2022, prestigious schools “serve as a middleman between unique talent and powerful or lucrative careers. By demonstrating their ability to successfully do this, prestigious schools solidify their reputation and attract more students and, more importantly, donors.”

So, what students do after graduation can influence a university’s networking, endowments, reputation and appeal.

Get involved

Alums are a vital part of universities and thrive when students are engaged — you may consider them to be an irrelevant part of your student journey, but they don’t have to be.

If you give alums your attention and time, they can inspire, encourage and support you; they can help you be successful and be a proud Duke.

CONTACT Mary Mabry at mabrymm@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

The First Amendment is still the First Amendment

Last week, JMU’s Student Senate in the Student Government Association (SGA) recently passed our election policy, which included a clause to clearly define that all candidates are required to submit their social media posts prior to their publishing. This has happened before and flew under the radar. There needed to be a stand on taking this out.

I was the only dissenting Senator to stand up and say no.

I stood my ground for other Dukes at JMU wishing to make a change through being involved in student government. There are plenty of Dukes with ideas that want to be involved and make a change. I am proud to see this. However, as the SGA, we must make this a fair playing field. This includes not violating Dukes’ First Amendment rights.

The clause in JMU Fall Elections Policy (2023) stated:

All campaign content posted to social media or otherwise must be approved by the commission before posting.

This clause has been used before, I would know as I have run three times — twice successfully and once unsuccessfully — for positions within SGA. Some may believe I am doing this for myself. That is far from the truth. What is the truth?

I have no more elections to run in. I will be proudly graduating in May and will continue to serve my term as a Senator. I was elected before, and now appointed, to work for Dukes at JMU.

This cannot be pushed under the rug or fly under the radar for future elections.

Now, Dukes understand that our institution is named after the Father of the

Constitution himself, James Madison. He made sure that the First Amendment was included to give the rights to free speech to everyone living in America. This goes right to the heart of the election policy. This infringement on student rights might deter them from applying to run for positions within the student government, therefore losing valuable opinions. We cannot sacrifice losing the opinions of other Dukes who wish to make a change.

I want to go back to what I stated just a bit ago: that I am here to work for Dukes at JMU. This is what every member of the SGA should think of before they vote, not themselves. I have had a record of doing just this because I care about this university and that it thrives.

Dukes, I implore you to join SGA to make your voices heard. This is not a deterrence in any front. It is simply a Senator doing what he signed up for.

In freedom, Parker Boggs

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | breezejmu.org 20 OPINION
JMU senior SGA senator

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